Clemson's Swinney staying busy evaluating freshmen

Nothing is set in stone regarding which freshmen could avoid redshirting for Clemson this season with Saturday's scrimmage providing one last full barometer.

By ERIC BOYNTONeric.boynton@shj.com

CLEMSON — Nothing is set in stone regarding which freshmen could avoid redshirting for Clemson this season with Saturday's scrimmage providing one last full barometer.Freshmen were absent from Monday morning's workout due to a mandatory university gathering (except for the handful of early enrollees), but the entire team was back in the afternoon for the last of the two-a-day practices. The mindset now turns toward game-planning for the Aug. 31 opener with Georgia.“We had a long weekend and a lot of discussion on all these (freshmen),” coach Dabo Swinney said. “I think we've got a good plan in place and there's a few guys we may go ahead and get ready, yet not necessarily play them, and just go ahead and kind of see what happens the first few weeks.“Basically when that decision is made, to me it's got to be obvious and sometimes it's just out of need. I prefer to redshirt guys if at all possible unless they can help you win right now or you have no other choices.”Swinney pointed out having to forgo a redshirt on running back Zac Brooks last season and he ended up playing only 65 snaps with 26 carries, all but one coming in blowout wins against Ball State, Furman and Duke.“He wasn't ready to play last year, but we really didn't have a choice and we've had several issues like that.”Swinney again reiterated that anything could change over the next few weeks, but mentioned several freshmen having the strongest chance to play in their first season with the program. The list included defensive backs Jadar Johnson, Cordrea Tankersly and Korrin Wiggins; receivers T.J. Green and Mike Williams; tight end Jordan Leggett; defensive end Shaq Lawson; and linebacker Ben Boulware.Leggett recently suffered an MCL injury to his knee and could miss the first couple of games.Blue-chip cornerback Mackensie Alexander has been slowed by a groin injury for much of camp and his status as a redshirt remains uncertain.“We definitely think (Alexander) could help us, but he's still not 100 percent and he's a guy that just needs to keep coming and we can't make a decision on him right now,” Swinney said. “But we definitely think he can help us and are just kind of going through the process.”Another pair of remaining unknowns is the bruising tailback duo of Tyshon Dye and Wayne Gallman, both of whom received rave reviews during the early part of camp. Since then Dye has been very limited with a sore back and walk-on C.J. Davidson has burst into the coaches' consciousness in looking to swipe a spot in the rotation.“We'll probably keep bringing them along and getting them ready and make a decision,” Swinney said. “With Tyshon, I'm hoping we get him back soon and kind of see where he is. Those two guys we don't have a firm decision on, but we'll continue to get them ready right now.”Safety Jayron Kearse had been slowed by a separated shoulder before beginning to impress over the last week, leading Swinney to say, “I was really leaning more toward redshirting him, but with the way he's practiced the last four or five days has been really good. Mike Williams and T.J. Green have got to play. It's not a situation there where we have to depend on them, but we really feel we'd like to get them some experience.”Benny Football?Swinney saved his biggest praise for Boulware. “He's the ultimate football player and there's not many guys wired like him,” Swinney said. “It doesn't matter what you do he is wide open and just loves to play and doesn't flinch. He's very confident for a young player and doesn't act like a freshman. He really handles himself like he's been around here for three or four years. He makes our team better for sure.”Injury updateJunior starting tight end Sam Cooper and freshman quarterback Chad Kelly returned to practice Monday and participated in 7-on-7 drills. Both tore knee ligaments in the April 13 spring game.“That's remarkable improvement,” Swinney said. “That's just a credit to (trainer) Danny Poole and our doctors. Everybody's done a great job and their work ethic has been tremendous so it was amazing to see them bouncing around out there getting team reps.”Leggett also took the field on his sore knee.“Jordan made great progress and bounced around and his knee looks really good. He may be able to at least dress for Georgia, but I don't know if he'll be able to play. It would be a good experience for him if nothing else.”Swinney also added that running back D.J. Howard (ankle) and offensive lineman Joe Gore (knee) underwent minor procedures with Howard expected back as early as Monday.